Printing machine for tubular bodies



Sept. 24, 1935. H. J. PAYNTER ET AL 2,015,086

PRINTING MACHINE FOR TUBULAR BODIES Filed May 27, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 1I I l V TOR- 1 ME Sept. 24, 1935. J. PAYNTER r AL 2,015,086

PRINTING MACHINE FOR TUBULAR BODIES Filed May 27, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2fig-s Z 27/ 3 64 39-93 2/3 Sept. 24, 1935. H. J. PAYNTER ET AL 2,015,086

PRINTING MACHINE FOR TUBULAR BODIES Filed May 27, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 3Sept. 24, 1935. H. J. PAYNTER ET AL 2,015,086

PRINTING MACHINE FOR TUBULAR BODIES Filed May 27, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4ATTOR EY Patented Sept. 24, 1935 PATENT OFFICE v 2,015,086 7 l 1PRINTING momma FOR TUBULAR BODIES Horace J. Paynter, MaplewoodyandArthur E.

Bumpus, Union,

N. J., assignors to American Can Company, New York,'N. Y., a corporationof New Jersey Application-May 27, 1929, Serial No. 366,114

. 25 Claims.

The present invention relates to a printing machine for tubular objectsand has particular reference to an apparatus for holding a tubularcontainer body in definite register relative to a 5 printing mechanismand. for printing a design on' the container body so held.

The apparatus of the present invention is particularly well adapted tothe printing of a label or a design on the outside of a tubular drum orkeg such as is ordinarily used in the packaging of white lead andsimilar products.

Such drums or kegs are usually previously painted or coated with aprotective covering which is thoroughly dried. The label or design mustthen be applied to such a coated surface. The printing must be done withrelatively great pressure between the container body and the printingroller and must have accurate register at all times to prevent smearingor blurring of ink or paint used in the design being transferred.

The apparatus of the present invention provides the greatest securityagainst non-registratlon of parts by supporting the inside of thecontainer body at all points in its inner peripheral surface. Thisfeature affords a complete backing-up of the container body at its pointof contact with the printing roller permitting the use of great printingpressure and at the same time preventing any slipping of the containeron its support or relative to the printing roller.

The principal object of the present invention is the provision of aprinting machine having an expanding chuck for holding a tubular body,the

chuck engaging andrigidly holding the inner wall of the body whenexpanded and presenting a smooth unbroken peripheral engaging surface atsuch time.

An important object of the invention is the provision of an expandingand contracting chuck for use in a printing machine which is expandedfor engagement with a tubular container body and which is contracted toa relatively small size to permit the easy removal of the container bodytherefrom.

Another important object of the present invention is the provision of anexpanding and contracting chuck for use in a printing machine which hasa rapid expanding action and one in which the parts are locked againstcollapse while expanded.

An important object of the invention is the provision of a chuck for usein a printing machine which is expanded and contracted by the action ofcompressed air controlled in a simple and efficient manner.

An important object of the invention is the provision of a chuck for usein a-printing machine which is expanded to engage a tubular body bydirect action on the part of the operator but which is automaticallycollapsed at termination 5 of the printing cycle.

A further important objectv of the invention relates to the hingedmounting of a chuck relative to a printing roller whereby a properprint? ing engagement is always secured between the 10 printing rollerand a body carried by the chuck.

A still further important object of the invention is the provision of alocating gauge for registering a tubular body in predetermined positionupon the holding chuck of a printing machine.

A further important object of the invention is the provision of anorganized printing mechanism for tubular bodies comprising a series ofoperations automatically coordinating when set in motion by the operatorto produce one, and 20 one only, complete printing cyclea Animportantobject of the invention is the provision of a clutch device forconnecting driving power to the operating parts of a printing press theclutch device being controlled and actu- 25 ated through a safety devicerequiring predetermined manual operations.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentas it is better understood from the following description, which, 30taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses apreferredembodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sideelevation of the machine.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the machine.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the upper part of the machine, partsbeing broken away and a tubular body being shown in position upon theexpanded holding chuck.

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the holding chuck in collapsed position,parts being broken away.

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail of a part of the holding chuck, the viewbeing taken substantially along line 55 in Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal central sectional view 45 of the upper part ofthe machine the top portion of the view being taken substantially alongline 66 in Fig. 2 the lower portion of the view showing parts inelevation.

Fig. 7 is a sectional detail taken substantially along line 1-1 in Fig.6.

Fig. 8 is a sectional detail taken substantially along line 88 in Fig.'7.

Fig. 9is a sectional detail taken substantially along line 9-9 in Fig.6.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary side elevation, partially in section of theclutch device and the control instrumentalities associated with thetransmission of driving power in the machine.

Fig. 11 is anend elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along line|2| 2 in F18. 10.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary detail of a part of the clutch mechanismillustrated in Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a sectional detail taken substantially along line |4|4 inFig. 11.-

Fig. 15 is an enlarged central section of the ing type. In this type ofprinting the printing roller carries a rubber or other kind of blanketupon which is superimposed the printing design or legend which is builtup in ink or in paint applied to the surface of the blanket by a typeroller positioned therebeneath. The type roller which -carries thedesign matrix, in turn cooperateswith an inking roller and the matrix isthereby furnished with the paint or ink which is transferred to theblanket of the printing roller and this, in turn, is transferred to theouter wall of the tubular container held on the expanded chuck. All ofthese rollers and parts are suitably mounted for rotation and arerotated in synchronism to effect the printing operation upon the tubularcontainer body. Mechanism is provided for expanding the holding chuckafter a tubular container body has been placed by hand or in anysuitable manner in proper position thereon. This expanding mechanismcomprises interconnected parts actuated by compressed air, in turn,controlled by the operator through a foot treadle.

A clutch device is provided for connecting operating parts of themachine with a source of driving energy. Actuation of the clutch deviceis made through control safety instrumentalities, a feature of whichnecessitates actuation in proper sequence by the operator beforerotation of any of the printing mechanism takes place.

Other mechanism is provided for insuring a single printing operationafter which the machine automatically comes to rest and the cycle ofoperation can then only be repeated by a repeated actuation of thevarious parts by the operator in their proper order.

As illustrated in the drawings the tubular body holding chuck (Figs. 3to 6 incl.) comprises a series of sections 2| and 22, a section 22 beingpositioned between two alternate, spaced sections 2|. There are foureach of the sections 2| and 22 in the present embodiment although thisnumbermay vary with different diameters of holding chucks. Thesesections are arranged concentrically about the center of the chuck andwhen expanded, as illustrated in Fig. 3, the outer surfaces of thealternating sections 2| and 22 present one complete, smooth, unbrokenperiphery.

Sections 2| (Fig. 6) are pivotally connected at 23 to links 24, in turnpivotally connected at 2' to a cap 26 sliding longitudinally over atubular member 21 formed integrally with a conical sleeve 28, in turn,extending into a spur gear 2!.

The tubular member 21 is keyed at 3| to one end of a rotatable sleeve 22extending substantially throughout the width of the machine, the sleevebeing mounted within a chuck frame 88. Sleeve I2 is held in fixedlongitudinal position relative to the frame 33 by adjustingcollars I4and 35 threadedly connected with the sleeve, the former clamping athrust washer ll carried on sleeve 32 against the frame 33, thisconstruction holding gear 29 against frame II. By reason of the linkconnections between sections 2| and cap 26, these sections (functionally"active sections) are actuated, as will be hereinafter fully described,to expand or contract the holding chuck. Sections 22, in turn, areradially moved. only through movement of the active sections and,therefore, constitute passive sections.

Each section 22 is provided with two dovetail keys 4| (Fig. 4) securedthereto by screws 42 and each key 4| has sliding movement within adovetail slot 43 formed in each sliding face of a section 2|. Thispermits radial sliding movement between the active and the passivesections the latter being moved out and in by reason of the inclinedconstruction of the contacting surfaces of the sliding sections. Thisdovetail or tongue and groove construction and the transverse positionof the keys prevents longitudinal movement between the sections 2| and22.

Each section 2i, in turn, is movably connected with gear 29 by featherand featherway. Each connection comprises a feather 45 (Figs. 4, 6 and9) secured to the front wall of gear 29 by a screw 46 there beingillustrated four feathers 45 spaced around the gear center. Sections'2lare s otted and thereby provided with featherways 41 in which thefeathers 45 slide and this construction permits radial movement of thesections 2| relative to the gear 29 but prevents any axial movementtherebetween.

Sections 2| are moved outwardly to expanded position by sliding movementof the cap 26 act ing through the links 24 (Figs. 3, 4 and 6). Cap 28 isclamped to one end of a piston rod 5| extending through sleeve 32, thecap being held thereon by a locknut 52. The opposite end of rod 5|carries a piston 53 operating within a cylinder 54 secured to a collar50 carried by the sleeve 32.

When piston 53 is moved toward the right, (as viewed in Fig. 6) rod 5|moves the cap 28 along the tubular member 21 to the position illustratedand links 24 at the end of the movement are in a substantially verticalposition, the sections 2| being moved outwardly. The inclined contactingsurfaces of sections 2| and 22 at such time move the latter to theirexpanded positions thus completing a continuous peripheral surface forthe holding chuck (Fig. 3). tion the pivots 25 and 23 of links 24 arepractically in alignment forming a locked toggle system preventingcollapse of the expanded chuck. During this expanding movement theconnecting members 4| and 42, and 45 and 41 maintain the sections intheir longitudinal position relative to the gear 29.

In expanded position (Fig. 3) the outer diameter of the holding chuck isconsiderably in excess of the diametrical distance between the outermostopposite passive sections 22 when in collapsed position (Fig. 4). Thecollapsed position, therefore, not only permits easy positioning In thisexpanded posiof a tubular body 55 over the holding chuck but,

also, permits the use of a necked-in body, one

- In placing such a tubular body upon the holding chuck one car 51 ofthecan (Figs. 1 and 2) is pushed within a slot 58 formed in the outerend of a gauge strap 59 secured to gear 29. This provides a referencepoint for the body 55 and determines the exact location of the printeddesign applied to thebody in the printing operation.

Chuck frame 33 is provided with arms 6I (Figs. 2 and 3) which are hingedat 62 to arms 63 projected from a plate 64 (see also Figs. 1 and 6)mounted upon a printirig roller bracket 65 which,

in turn, is carried upon a type roller bracket 66 supported by a mainframe 61 carried upon a base 68. By reason of the hinged connection ofchuck frame 33 the entire chuck mechanism carried thereby has slightvertical movement about the hinge pintles 62, around a center lineparallel with the axis of the chuck and permitting a yielding printingpressure to be applied between the container body 55 (upon the holdingchuck) and the printing roller.

The weight of the chuck mechanism assisted by the action of a coilspring 1| (Figs. 1, 2 and 6) surrounding the lower end of a vertical rod12 gives the necessary printing pressure. Spring H is interposed betweenthe plate 64 and nuts 13 threadedly engaging the lower extremity of rod12, the latter having sliding movement through the plate 84. Rod 12 ispivoted at 14 to a lug 15 projected from one side of chuck frame 33,this being on the side opposite to the hinged connection with thebrackets 53.

When the chuck sections 2I and 22 are in their contracted position, theweight of and the spring action upon, the chuck mechanism holds it in alowered position this,position being determined by a setscrew 16threadedly adjusted in the plate 64, and supporting the free unhingedside of frame 33.

After a container body 55 has been positioned over the contracted chuck,compressed air operates to move piston 53 within its cylinder 54 and toexpand the chuck parts into holding position. This operation of thecompressed air within the cylinder 54 is regulated through a control airvalve which, in turn, is actuated by the operator. Compressed air isintroduced into the machine from any suitable source of supply by meansof a pipe 8I (Figs. 3 and 6) connecting with the interior of an airvalve casing 82 mounted upon one side of the plate 64. Casing 82 isprovided with a cover 83, these parts enclosing the mechanism of the airvalve.

Air entering through pipe 8I passes through a horizontal passageway 84and thence through v a lateral port 85 to an interior chamber 86confined within the parts 82 and 83. Provision is made for selectivelyconnecting port 85 with one of two ports leading respectively to thefront of or to the back of the piston 53 in cylinder 54. This selectivecontrol comprises a cup member 81 carried on the upper end of an arm 88,

preventing passage 'of air along the shaft at that place.

' Rockshaft 89 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) carries an arm 93 pivotally connectedto a tie rod 94 pivoted at its lower end to a lever 95 pivoted at 96inc.

bracket 91 projected from one face of a column 98 carried by the base68. Lever 95 is provided with a foot treadle 99 actuation of which moveslever 95 to oscillate shaft 89 and move the air cup member 81. A coilspring IOI is interposed between lever 95 and column 98. Spring IOInormally holds lever 95 in normal raised position.

Upon depression of the foot treadle 99 through the described mechanismarm 88 isshifted to carry cup member 81 toward the right as illustratedin Fig. 6, where this cup member covers port 85 and a port I05 formed inthe casing 02 and communicating witha vertical passageway I06 (see alsoFig. 3) which, in turn, communicates with the interior of a pipe I01.

Pipe I01 is threadedly secured to a sleeve I08 (Figs. 6 and 15) whichforms a housing for a stufiing box unit and air connections with thecylinder 54. Sleeve I68 is held stationary with pipe I01 butpermitsrotation of the cylinder 54 with rotation of the sleeve 32 and theholding chuck.

Sleeve I08 is closed at its outer end by a threaded plu-g I09 formedwith a tubular extension III' which encircles a gland H2, in turn,positioned over the end of a stem II3 projected from one end of cylinder54 and threadedly secured thereto by a locknut H4. The interior of pipeI01 communicates with a passageway H5 passing through one wall of sleeveI08 and communicating with an annular groove II6 formed in the extensionIII of plug I09. Compressed air passing through pipe I01 and port I I5fills the annular groove I I6.

Radial ports II1 cut through gland I I2 form a connection between theannular groove H6 and an air chamber II8 on the inside of gland II2,this chamber being confined between the end of stem H3 and plug I09.Gland H2 is held stationary with plug I09 and stem H3 is free to rotatewithin the gland. Compressed air passes from chamber II8 through ahorizontal passageway II 9 communicating with a lateral passageway i2Iin the rear-wall of cylinder 54. Passageway I2 I, in turn, communicateswith passageways I22 and I23 formed respectively in the outer and frontwalls of cylinder 54, the end of passageway I23 communicating with anair chamber I24 in cylinder 54 forward of the piston 53. This compressedair passing into air chamber I24 forces the piston 53 toward the right(as viewed in Fig. 6) this action expanding the chuck sections 2I and 22as previously described.

The operator does not need to hold foot treadle 99 depressed throughoutthis cycle of chuck expanding operation as provision is made forautomatically holding cup member 81 in the position illustrated in Fig.6 until after the printing operation. This device comprises a lever I25(Figs. 3 and 6) pivoted at I26 to a bracket I21 projected from one wallof casing 82. One end of lever I25 is formed with a notch I28 adapted toengage the upper end of an arm I29 mounted on the rockshaft 89. Arm I29is moved into the slot I28 by depression of the treadle 99 and uponoscillation of the shaft 89. Moving into position, the upper end of armI29 which is inclined at its top strikes against an inclined roundednose formed on the lever I25 and rocks the lever has just engaged leverI28.

about its pivot I28 against the action of a coil spring I8I interposedbetween lever I25 and a pin chuck expanded position until after theprinting operation.

The printing operation is performed in one rotation of the holding chuckand provision is made for disengaging arm I28 from lever I25 onthe'termination of one complete rotation of the holding chuck andmechanism carried therewith. This canprises a'pin I82 (Fig. 6) projectedfrom the collar 55 and adapted to engage a notched end I 88 of lever I25just prior to the completion of a single rotation of the collar 55.Figure 6 illustrates the parts in position where pin I32 Lever I25 uponfurther movement of pin I 82 with its collar 55 will move about itspivot I25 and release arm I28 which thereupon moves with the oscillationof shaft 88 under action of spring I. Such oscillation of shaft 89 movesarm 88 and cup member 81 from the position illustrated in Fig. 6.

This movement of cup member 81 uncovers port I05 and air from chamberI24 thereupon passes through the ports and passageways described,through the pipe I01 and to the interior chamber 88 of the air valve.From chamber 88 the air escapes to atmosphere through a port I35 (Fig.3) formed in the upper part of the cover 83.

In this normal position of cup member 81 (toward the left Fig. 6)connection is formed between the supply port and a lateral port I38communicating with a vertical port I31 both formed in casing" the latter.port leading to the interior of a pipe I38, also, threadedly secured tothe sleeve I08;

Compressed air conducted through pipe I38 passes through a port I39(Fig. 15) in sleeve I08 and communicates with an annular groove I 4|formed in the outer periphery of a stufling box gland I42 held inposition on stem II3 by gland H2 and plug I09. In this position glandI42 confines a packing I43 within the forward end of sleeve I08. SleeveI08 at this position is threadedly held by a washer I04 against a plateI45 bolted to the rear end wall of cylinder 54. This completes themovable connection between the stationary sleeve I08 and the movablecylinder 54.

The compressed air passing through pipe I38, port I88 and into theannular groove I H is thence conveyed through radial ports I46 to anannular groove I41 formed on the interior of gland I42, thus surroundingthe rotatablestem H3. Air then flows through a radial port I48communieating with a longitudinal passageway I 49 leading to an airchamber I5I (Fig. 6) Within cylinder 54 and to the right of piston 53.The pressure of this air against the face of piston 58 causes it to movetoward the left (as viewed in Fig. 6) carrying rod 5I and connectedparts toward the left to collapse the holding chuck. During thismovement, air from chamber I24 passes to the atmosphere through the airvalve and port I85.

With a container body 55 in position on the holding chuck and the partsexpanded by depression of the foot treadle 98 and operation of the airvalve, as described, the can body is ready for its printing operation.This operation is automatically carried on by rotation of theholdingchuck and cooperating rotation of printing mechanism.

Driving power for the machine is communicated to a drive shaft I88through the medium of a belt pulley I58 (Fig. 1). Shaft I88 is jourlnaled in a bearing I51, carried on the upper end of a bracket. I58bolted to the base 88. Shaft I55. also, operates in a bearing I58 formedon frame 81. Shaft I55 carries a pinion I8I which meshes with a'gear I82(Fig. 10) keyed to a sleeve I88 10 Journaled in a bearing bracket I84carried by. frame 81. Sleeve I88 constitutes the driving part of aclutch mechanism which will be hereinafter fully described and whichconstitutes, at certain periods, a connection between the rotatingsleeve 15 I88 and an inking roller shaft I88 extending through andsupported by the sleeve I88. Shaft I85 extends at its forward end into ausual form of inking mechanism generally designated by the number I88(Fig.1) which embodies the usual 20 ink or paint applying anddistributing rollers, shaft I85 having suitable bearing within thismechanism.

The ink or paint by this mechanism is evenly distributed over an inkingroller I81 suitably 25 carried within the inking mechanism I88 andcontacting a type roller I88 provided with a design or legend matrix I88carried on its periphery in the usual and preferred manner. Roller I88is carried bya horizontal shaft I1I iournaled so in a bearing I12 formedin a bracket I18 mounted upon the column 98 and in bearings I14 formedin the bracket 68 (Figs. 1 and 10).

Shaft I1I receives rotation from shaft I 85 through a pair ofintermeshing gears I15 and 35 I16 mounted respectively upon the shafts I85 and HI. Type roller I 58 is positioned directly beneath a printingroller I8I carried by a horizontal shaft I82 Journaled' in a bearing I88formed in the bracket I13 and in bearings I84 40 carried by bracket 85.Shaft I82 and printing roller I8I rotate'in unison with shaft HI andtype roller I88 through the intermeshing gears I85 and I88 carried bythe respective shafts I1I alld I82. 45

Printing roller I8I (Fig. 3) is covered with a rubber or other suitableprinting blanket I81 held on the periphery of the roller by clampingbars I88 and I88 positioned within longitudinal slots I9I and I82 thisbeing a preferred construc- 50 tion universally used in offset printing.The design or type matrix I 89 of type roller I 88 contacts the outersurface of this blanket I81 during the rotation of the respectiverollers I8I and I58 and the paint or ink applied to the outer 55 surfaceof the type by the inking rollers is transferred to the surface of theblanket I 81 in the regular printing manner.

With printing engagement taking place between the outer surface of theblanket I81 on the printing roller I8I and the outer surface of the heldcontainer 55 positioned upon the holding chuck. the design istransferred from the printing roller to the outer wall of the container55. Gear I88 is, at all times in mesh with gear 28 and this insuresproper moving contact between printing roller I8I and container body 55during this printing operation.

The proper pressure between container 55 and the printing roller III isinsured by reason of 70 the hinged construction of the chuck frame 88assisted by the yielding action of spring 1i as has been previouslydescribed. The teeth of gears 28 and I 88 are sufficiently deep topermit this hinging action without getting out of mesh. 75

The clutch device for connecting the driving parts I55 and I63 with thedriven shaft I65 comprises a mechanism disclosed in detail in Figs. 10to 14 inclusive. Sleevev I63 carries a disc ring 20I positioned adjacenta clutch pawl collar 202 keyed to shaft l65.' Collar 202 carries aspring clutch pawl 203 having sliding movement within a transverse bore204 formed in the collar 202. A coil spring 205 is seated within one endof pawl 203 and presses against the forward face of the same. Theopposite end of spring 205 is held by a washer 206 positioned on shaftI65 adjacent collar 202 and held in place by a locking collar 201. Underthe action of spring 205 pawl 203 has a tendency to move toward the leftas viewed in Fig. 10 and when unrestricted in its movement engageswithone of several radial slots 208 formed in disc 20I. When the I forwardend of pawl 203 moves within a slot 206,

parts 20I and 202 are locked together and shaft I65 rotates in unisonwith the rotating sleeve I63.

Provision is made for removing pawl 203 from a slot 200 whereupon theshaft 565 will be disconnected from the rotating sleeve 1163. Thismechanism constitutes control instrumentalities for the clutch and isunder the direct actuation of the operator. In this actuation, provisionis made for insuring that both hands of the operator are in a safeposition during the printing cycle of the apparatus requiring the properactuation in proper sequence of two separate and widely spaced handles.

Two handle levers 2H and 2I2 are mounted upon a transverse shaft 2I3(Fig. 3) lever 2" being secured thereto. Levers 2H and 2I2 are providedrespectively with a hand rest 2I4 and 2I5. Handle 2 controls a latchmechanism this handle being positioned on the left-hand side of themachine, viewing the machine from the front as illustrated in Fig. 3.Lever 2I2 is connected with what will be considered the clutch control,this lever being positioned on the right-hand side of the machine.

Latch lever 2II must first be operated to unlatch lever 2l2 before thelatter can be used to actuate the clutch device and operate the printingmechanism. Shaft 2I3 is journaled for oscillation within a bearing 2l6carried by the bracket 65 (Figs. 2 and 3) and extends through a latchcasing 2I'I (Fig. 7) carried by a bracket.

2|0 formed as a part of plate 64. Shaft 2I3 where it passes through thecasing 2II has oscillating movement within a bearing 2|9 formed thereinand projects through and oscillates with in a sleeve 22I carried by acasing cover 222 secured to the casing 2I'I. Sleeve 22I directlysupports handle lever 2I2 the lever being keyed thereto. The latchmechanism is partially confined within the casing 2I'l and its cover 222and is shown in detail in Figs. 6, '7, and 8.

Oscillation of shaft 2I3 by movement of the handle lever 2 underpressure of one hand of the operator moves an arm 225 (Figs. 7 and 8)which is keyed to the shaft and positioned within the casing 2II. Theupper end of arm 225 moves toward the left (Fig. 8) and strikes aprojecting lug 226 (Figs. 7 and 8) carried by a link 221 pivotallyconnected at 228 to a latch member 229 pivoted on a bolt 23I secured toa, boss formed in the casing 2I'I. Latch member 229 thereupon movesagainst the action of a leaf spring 233 and its lower hooked end 234disengages teeth 235 formed on a plate 236 loosely mounted on shaft 2I3and connected to the sleeve 22I.

This movement of shaft 2I3 by actuation of the handle 2 is resisted by acoil spring 231 (Fig. 6) connected at one end to the bracket 66 5 andatits opposite end to an arm 238 keyed to shaft 2l3 (see also Fig. 7). Arm238 which carries an adjusting bolt 239 moves it away' from its normalengagement with one face of the bracket 65. Spring 237' is used toreturn handle lever 10 2 to normal position upon its release by theoperator.

With the latch member 229 held in disengaged position plate 236, sleeve22I and handle lever 2:2 are free to move upon the shaft 2I3. Upon l5actuation of the handle lever 2I2 by depression of the other hand of theoperator, the plate 236 is moved in a counter clockwise direction (Figs.

6 and 8). This action moves a stop projection 230 formed on the plateawayfrom one wall of casing 2H and at the same time an inclined cam face232 of the plate engages a boss 240 formed on one end of link 22?,lifting that end of the link against the action of a spring 220 carriedby latch member 229. 25

Spring 220 holds boss 240 against the cam face 232 and as the end oflink 221 is lifted, lug 226 is raised above the upper end of arm 225.Spring 233 thereupon returns the hooked end 234 of latch member 229 toits normal position in engagement with plate 236. By reason of the shapeof the teeth 235 and the hooked end 234, plate 236 may be returned tonormal but can not be again actuated without again unlatching the partsby actuation of handle 2| I. tates the proper sequence of operations onthe part of the operator for each cycle of operations of the machine andprovides a fool proof safety feature.

As plate 236 and sleeve 22! are moved with handle 2I2, an arm 24I (Figs.1 and 6) formed integrally with sleeve 22! moves a connecting rod 242downwardly. Rod 242 is pivoted at its upper end to arm 2 and at itslower end to a bellcrank lever 243. Bellcrank lever 2&3 is piv- 5 otedat 244 on a bracket 245 projected from the frame 61.

Movement of the bar 242 causes bellcrank lever 243 to move about itspivot 244 against the action ofa coil spring 246 interposed between oneend of the lever 243 and a pin 24'! projected from the frame 67. Theopposite arm 248 of lever 243 is connected in a universal joint with onearm of a bellcrank lever 249 pivoted on a bracket 25I bolted to theframe-61. The opposite arm of bellcrank lever 249 is pivotally connectedin a universal joint 252 to a block 253 carried by a link 254 (Figs. 11and 12) pivotally connected to an arm 255 of a bracket 256 bolted tobracket I64.

Bracket 256 carries those devices directly associated with the clutchmembers 2M and 202 for withdrawing the pawl 203 from that one of theopenings 208 in which it may be positioned thereby disconnecting thedriving and driven parts 5 of the clutch. These devices comprise a wedgemember 26I (Figs. 11, 12 and 14) formed on the upper end of a slidingrod 262 moving within a bearing 263 formed in bracket 256. Rod 262 isprovided with an extension rod 264 passing through the end of bearing263 andocarrying at its extremity a block 265.

A coil spring 261 surrounds the extension rod 264 and is enclosed withinthe bearing 263, it being interposed between the end of rod 262 and Thisnecessi- 35 the end of bearing 263. Spring 261 normally holds wedgemember 26I in raised position, this position being illustrated in Fig.11. In raised position wedge member 26I rests within a groove 266 formedin the collar 202. When in this raised position wedge member 26I is .inthe path of travel of pawl 203 as it is carried about the centerof shaftI65 by rotation of the clutch disc ring 20I and collar 202. As pawl 203moves into engagement with wedge member 26I, one wall of a transverseslot 268 formed in the pawl 203 engages the inclined forward end ofwedge member 26I and passing along the inclined surface moves fromwithin its slot 208 against the action of spring 205. Upon thewithdrawal of pawl 203 from a slot 208 the driving and driven parts ofthe clutch are disconnected.

Immediately upon the disconnecting of shaft I65 from the driving memberI63 the former comes to rest; and pawl 203 remains retracted byengagement with the wedge member 26I. During this retraction rotation ofthe sleeve I63 and the ring 20I takes place without effecting movementof collar 202 and shaft I65.

Upon the disconnection of the clutch members and the coming to rest ofshaft I65, shafts Ill and I82 and the holding chuck are correspondinglybrought to rest by reason of the interconnecting gears I15, I16, I85,I66 and 28 previously described.

To insure that this stopping of the mechanism takes place at a definitepredetermined position without overthrow of the parts caused bymomentum, there is provided on shaft IN a brake mechanism illustrated indetail in Figs. 10 and 11. This brake mechanism is of the frictionaltype which automatically puts a drag on shaft "I when this shaft reachesa predetermined position in its revolution.

This brake mechanism comprises a pair of semicircular braking shoes 215and 216 pivoted on a stud 211 held in a boss formed in bracket 66. Shoes215 and 216 encompass a disc 218 secured to shaft I1I. Shoe or arm 216is provided with an extension lug 216 in which is positioned a bolt 28Iwhich extends through an opening formed in a similar extension lug 282,carried by 1 shoe or arm 215. An arm 283 is pivotally mounted at 284 onlug 282 and carries a boss 285 through which the upper end of bolt 28Ipasses. Bolt 28I is retained in position within boss 285 by locknuts286. A coil spring 261 surrounds bolt 26I and is interposed between lug218 and boss 285 and normally holds shoes 215 and 216 separated.

Shaft I1I carries at its extremity a cam 26I the periphery of which isengaged by a roller 262 rotatably mounted at 263 on arm 263. Cam 26Irotates with shaft HI and past roller 282. When shaft I1I reaches thepredetermined position at which it is designed to stop, a raised portion294 of cam 26I lifts roller 262 pivoting arm 283 about its pivot 284using lug 282 as a fulcrum and lifting shoe 216 through bolt 26I thisaction clamping the two arms 215 and 216 together against the disc 216.

Proper actuation of the handle levers 2H and 2I2, as previouslydescribed, and movement of 7 connecting rod 242 and bellcrank levers 243and 24! cause a correspondinglowering of block 253.

Link 254 (Figs. 11 and 12) thereupon rocks on' its pivot thereby movinga pair of links 30I which, at certain times, engages a projection formedon block 265. When latch 302 isin engagement with block 266, lowering oflinks 302 by block 253 causes a corresponding movement of the parts 264,262 and 261. This lowering movement of wedge member 26I takes placeagainst the resistance of spring 261, the final 6 lowered position beingillustrated in Fig. 12.

As soon as wedge member 26I moves away from pawl 203 its spring 205forces the same outwardly against ring disc 20I and the forward end ofpawl 203 immediately engages within that par- 10 ticular slot 206 whichis brought adjacent by the rotating sleeve I63 thus forming connectionbetween the driving and driven parts. Shaft I65 and the mechanismconnected therewith thereupon make one complete cycle of operation,shaft 15 I65 making one complete revolution.

As shaft I65 is making its single revolution a cam projection 303 formedin the periphery of collar 202 strikes against a roller 304 idly carriedon one arm of a lever 305 which is pivoted on a 60 pin 306 projectingfrom bearing 263. Lever 365 l is thereupon rocked about its pivot andits opposite extremity 301 (Fig. 13) strikes against a projection 306formed on latch 302 moving the latch toward the left thereby unhookingthe end 25 of the latch from block 285. This movement takes placeagainst the action of a coil spring 303 interposed between arm 255 andlatch 302, (see also Fig.10)

Upon freeing of the end of projection 264 of 30 rod 262 wedge member 26Iis moved upwardly within slot 266 by action of the spring 261. In thisposition, it will engage pawl 203 as it is brought around with therotating collar 202. Upon engagement of the wedge member 26I, the 35pawl 203 is withdrawn from its slot 208 and the driving and driven,members are immediately disconnected as has been previously described.

By reason of the automatic release of the wedge member 26I and itsmoving into position to with- 0 draw the pawl 203 from its clutchposition only one revolution of shaft I65 is permitted regardless ofwhether the handles 2 and 2I2 are held downwardly as connection isalways broken between block 265 and latch 302. This necessitates 5 therelease of the handles 2 and 2I2, the raising of connecting rod 242, theshifting of bellcrank levers 243 and 248 and the raising of block 953and the parts connected therewith after each cycle of operations inorder to again engage 50 latch 302 with block 265 and move wedge member2 to form a driving connection for the machine.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantageswill be understood from he foregoing description, and it will beapparent 55 that various changes may be made in the form, constructionand arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention or sacrificing all of its material advanages. the formhereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for nrin ins. tubular container bodies comprisin incombination. a su porting frame. a chuck frame. a sleeve carried by said65 chuck frame. an expanding chuck carried by said sleeve and adapted toen age the inside of a container body. said chuck frame being hinged ona line parallel with the axis of said chuck. printin means positionedadjacent said chuck and 70 adapted to transfer a printing desi n to acontainer body held on the chuck. and means for moving the chuck frameon its hinged connection to position said conta ner body into printingengagement with the printing means.

2. An apparatus for printing tubular container bodies comprising incombination, a supporting frame, a chuck frame, a sleeve carried by saidchuck frame, an expanding chuck carried by said sleeve and adapted toengage the inside of a container body, said chuck frame being hinged ona lne parallel with the axis of said chuck, a printing roller positionedadjacent said chuck and adapted to transfer a printing design to acontainer body held on the chuck, means for moving the chuck frame onits hinged connection to posit'on said container body into printingengagement with the printing roller, and a limit stop for regulating themaximum pressure between container 'body and printing roller duringprinting engagement.

3. An apparatus for printing tubular container bodies comprising incombination, a supporting frame, a chuck frame, a rotatable sleevecarried by said chuck frame, an expanding chuck carried by said sleeveand adapted to engage the inside of a container body, said chuck framebeing h nged on a line parallel with the axis of said chuck, a rotatableprinting roller positioned adjacent said chuck and adapted to transfer aprinting design to a container body held on the chuck, means for movingthe chuck frame on its hinged connection to position sa'd container bodyinto printing engagement with the print'ng roller, and means forrotating said chuck and said printing roller in synchronism to effectsuch printing.

4. In an apparatus for printing tubular container bodies, thecombination of an expanding chuck adapted to engage the inside of acontainer body and having a continuous peripheral surface when expanded,a chuck expanding and contracting mechanism comprising a sliding shaft,a piston carried by said shaft, and a cylinder surrounding said piston,and means for applying pressure on said piston and within said cylinderfor sliding the shaft to effect expansion and contraction of said chuck.

5. A chuck for holding tubular container bodies in position forprinting, comprising a plurality of actve sections, a plurality ofpassive sections movably positioned therebetween, all of ,said sectionspresent'ng a continuous peripheral surface when the chuck is expanded,and an -actuating member having pivotal connection with I the activesections thereof, said actuat'ng member having longitudinal movement inone directon for expanding the chuck into container holding position andin the opposite direction for contracting the chuck into containerreleasing position.

6. A chuck for holding tubular container bodies in pos'tion for prnting, comprising a plurality of spaced active sections, a plurality ofspaced pasvsive sections, a said passive section being positioned in thespace between each pair of adjacent active sect'ons, an alignment keylocated between each active and each passive section for maintaininglongitudinal alignment thereof, and means for radially moving. thesections to expand and contract the chuck into container holding andinto container releasing position.

'7. A chuck for holding tubular container bodies in position forprinting, comprising a plurality of spaced active sections, a pluralityof spaced passive sect'ons, a said passive section being posftioned inthe space between each pair of adjacent active sections, an alignmentkey located between each active and each passive section for maintaininglongitudinal alignment thereof,

a gear for rotating said chuck, gear alignment keys for maintaininglongitudinal alignment between said sections and said gear, and meansfor radially moving the sections to expand and contract the chuck intocontainer holding and into container releasing position.

8. A chuck for holding tubular container bodies in position forprinting, comprising a plurality of radially movable sections having anexpanded and a-'contracted position, sa'd sections in expanded pos.tionpresenting a smooth, unbroken peripheral surface for engagement with theinterior of the container body, an actuating member disposed centrallyof said chuck, links pivotally connecting the actuating member with thechuck sections, and means for moving said actuating member to expand thechuck into container body holding position, and means for printing onsaid bodies.

9. A chuck for holding tubular container bodies 20 in position forprinting, comprising a plurality of radially movable sections having anexpanded and a contracted position, said sections in expanded positionpresenting a smooth, unbroken peripheral surface for engagement with thein- 25 terior of the container body, an actuating member havingconnection with said sect'ons and disposed centrally of said chuck,means for moving said actuating member to expand the chuck intocontainer body holding position, and means for 30 looking said sectionsin expanded position, and means for printing on said bodies.

10. The combination of a printing cylinder, a rotary expansible chuckfor carrying a container to be printed, a chuck frame for carrying said35- chuck, a printing roller for operating on the container when held onsaid chuck, a support for said roller, said chuck frame being swingablyconnected with the roller support on an axis parallel with the axis ofthe chuck, and fluid 4() pressure means carried with the chuck frame foroperating the chuck.

11. In a machine for printing on container bodies, in combination, arotary chuck expansible in all radial directions for engaging withinsuch 45 body, means for expanding and contracting said chuck comprisinga sliding shaft and means for moving said shaft longitudinally, amovable chuck frame carrying said shaft, means for printing on such bodywhen it is on said chuck, a support for the printing means, and deviceshingedly connecting said chuck frame and said support on a line parallelwith the axis of the chuck.

12. In an apparatus for printing tubular container bodies, thecombination with printing means and actuating mechanism therefor, of anexpanding chuck adapted to engage the inside of a container body heldadjacent said printing means, said chuck embodying a plurality ofsections having relative movement during expansion and contraction, thesections in expanded position presenting a smooth, continuous peripheralsurface which is contractible on all sides for introduction into andengagement with the interior of the container body, and means for movingsaid printing means and said chuck in synchronism to efiect printing onsaid container body.

13. In an apparatus for printing tubular container bodies, thecombination with a printing roller and actuating mechanism therefor, ofa rotatable expanding chuck adapted to engage the inside of a containerbody held adjacent said printing roller, said chuck embodying aplurality of sections having relative movement during ex- 7 pansion andcontraction, the sections in expanded position presenting a smooth,unbroken peripheral surface which is contractible on all sides forengagement with the interior of the container body, and mechanism forrotating said printing roller and said chuck in synchronism to effectprinting on said container body.

14. In an apparatus for printing tubular container bodies, thecombination with a printing roller and actuating mechanism therefor, ofan expanding chuck adapted to engage the inside of a container body heldadjacent said printing roller, said chuck embodying a plurality ofsections having relative movement during the expansion and contractionand contractible on all sides for introduction into a container, thesections in expanded position presenting a smooth, unbroken peripheralsurface for engagement with the interior of the container body, meansfor expanding and contracting said chuck sections, and means for movingsaid printing roller and said chuck in synchronism to effect thetransfer of a printed design to said container body.

15. In an apparatus for printing tubular container bodies, thecombination with a printing roller for transferring a printed design tosaid bodies, and driving mechanism for said roller, of an expandingchuck having a continuous peripheral surface adapted to engage theinside of a container body held adjacent said printing roller, alocating gauge for registering said container body in predeterminedposition upon said chuck, and means for moving said printing roller andsaid chuck in synchronism to effect such printing.

16. In an apparatus for printing tubular container bodies, incombination with printing means and actuating mechanism therefor: anexpanding chuck adapted to engage the inside of a container body heldadjacent said printing means and having a continuous peripheral surfacewhen expanded, a chuck expanding and contracting mechanism comprising asliding shaft, a piston carried by said shaft, and a cylindersurrounding said piston, means for applying fluid pressure on saidpiston and within said cylinder for sliding the shaft to effectexpansion and contraction of said chuck, and means for moving saidprinting roller and said chuck in synchronism to effect the transfer ofa printed design to said container 17. An apparatus for printing tubularcontainer bodies, comprising, in combination with a printingorganization including a printing roller adapted to engage a containerbody and to transfer a printing design thereto: a chuck adapted to holda container body, a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a transmissionmechanism connecting the chuck and the printing roller with said drivenshaft, a clutch device for connecting the driving and driven shafts, andcontrol instrumentalities including a latch member and a clutchoperating member for actuating said clutch to effect a printingoperation upon the container body.

18. An apparatus for printing tubular container bodies, comprising incombination with a printing organization including a printing rolleradapted to engage a container body and to transfer a printing designthereto: a chuck adapted to hold a container body adjacent said printingroller, means for moving said printing roller and said chuck insynchronism to effect such printing, said means including a clutchdevice and control instrumentalities therefor, the latter embodying atransverse shaft, a handle for one hand of the operator fixed on saidshaft, a handle for the other hand of the operator loosely mounted onsaid shaft, and interconnections for operation of the clutch devicewhich are controlled by and require operation of both of said handlesfor each 6 printing cycle.

19. An apparatus for printing tubular container bodies, comprising incombination with a rotatable printing roller for engaging a containerbody and for transferring a printed design there- 10 to: a rotatableexpanding chuck having a continuous peripheral surface adapted to hold acontainer body, compressed air means for expanding and contracting saidchuck including an air valve, means for rotating said chuck and print-15 ing roller in synchronism to effect the printing on said containerbody, a foot control for actuating said air valve and a hand control foractuating said rotating means.

20. In an apparatus for printing tubular con- 20 tainer bodies, incombination with a printing roller for engaging a container body and fortransferring a printed design thereto, and actuating mechanism for saidroller: of a rotatable expanding chuck adapted to hold a container 25body when in expanded position, means for expanding said chuck, meansincluding a clutch device .for rotating said chuck and printing rollerin synchronism to effect such printing, manual control instrumentalitiesfor actuating said clutch, and devices for automatically restoring theclutch device to non-operating position followering each printing cycle.

21. In an apparatus for printing tubular container bodies, incombination with a printing 35 roller for engaging a container body andfor transferring a printed design thereto, and actuating mechanism forsaid roller: of a rotatable expanding chuck adapted to hold a containerbody when in expanded position, means for ex- 40 panding said chuck,foot control devices for actuating said expanding means, means includinga clutch device for rotating said chuck and printing roller insynchronism to effect such printing, manual control instrumentalitiesforactuat- 5 ing said clutch, and devices for automatically contractingsaid chuck following each printing cycle.

22. In an apparatus for printing tubular container bodies, incombination with a printing '5 roller for engaging a container body andfor transferring a printed design thereto, and actuating mechanism forsaid roller: a rotatable expanding chuck adapted to hold a containerbody when in expanded position, means for expanding 55 said chuck, fo-otcontrol devices for actuating said expanding means, said chuck beingcontractible all around its periphery and having parts which present a.continuous peripheral surface for cooperation with the printing roller,means 5 including a clutch device for rotating said chuck and printingroller in synchronism to effect such printing, manual controlinstrumentalities for actuating said clutch, devices for automaticallycontracting said chuck, and devices for automati- 65 cally restoring theclutch device to non-operating position following each printing cycle.

23, In an offset printing machine for printing on metallic vessels, thecombination with printing means and actuating mechanism therefor, of 70a chuck for engagement within the vessel and having a sectionalperipheral surface for opposing the pressure of the printing means, anddevices connected with the sections of the chuck and movable in thedirection of the axis of the 16 chuck for expanding and contracting thechuck, and a piston for operating said devices to cause the peripheralparts of the chuck to be expanded so as to support from within the wallof the vessel suitably for printing on the outside of said wall by saidprinting means.

24. The combination with a printing cylinder and actuating mechanismtherefor, of a rotary expansible chuck for engaging the interior surfaceof a container to be printed, said chuck having radially and oppositelyexpansible parts arranged around the periphery of the chuck forming aperipherally continuous surface supporting the container wall againstthe action of the printing cylinder.

25. In a machine for printing on container bodies, in combination withmeans for applying coloring and the like to such bodies and actuatingmechanism therefor, of a rotary chuck expansible in all radialdirections and having a continuous periphery when expanded for engagingwithin such body, means for expanding and contracting said chuckcomprising a sliding shaft, a piston for operating said shaft, acylinder enclosing said shaft, and means for applying fluid HORACE J.PAYN'I'ER.

ARTHUR E. BUIIPUS. 15

